Portret van een vrouw 1882

This is a photograph of a woman, made by Gustaaf Adolf Mögle in La Haye. Photographs like these were made by collodion printing on cardboard. The process involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in a camera, and then developing the image. Each portrait involved manual skill, and the final print required meticulous care to achieve its clarity and tonal range. The material qualities of this photograph reflect the broader social and economic context of its production. In the late 19th century, photography was becoming increasingly accessible to a wider segment of the population, but these photographic portraits still represented a form of social status. By valuing the materiality and production process behind this photograph, we gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance and its place within the history of both art and craft.